BMW E88 Performance Short Shift Kits

A common BMW insider's trick is to use a shift lever from another model to make your own short shift kit. BMW has picked up on this retrofitting with their own series of short shift kits using all factory BMW parts. BMW Performance shift kits are among the most complete and easiest kits on the market - shift lever, nylon ball cup, boot, and shift knob are included in most kits. This is everything you would need to replace when installing a shift lever plus a new knob to top it all off. Shifts are reduced by 25% on most models. With a fresh lever and bushings you can restore precision and feel to your shifter. BMW short shift kits are easy to shift - not excessively notchy. This makes them perfect as a shifter refresh as well as an upgrade.

Everyone who tracks their BMW knows the shifter is a bit of a compromise. On the street and around town it might be described as smooth and sweet. But on the track the same engineering that makes shifting effortless becomes a liability. It's all too easy to put your BMW into the wrong gear and over-rev the engine, resulting in the infamous mis-shift (or money$hift). Short shift kits are not the solution - effort and notchiness go up but it's still easy to grab the wrong gear. The CAE shifter IS the answer, however.

The CAE shift kit is the real deal as far as motorsport shift levers is concerned. It's function over form. The real engineering is inside the shifter housing. A spring pre-loads the shift linkage so shifts are much faster. There is no slop or play in the shift lever and the shift gate is much smaller than the factory setup so there's no wasted motion. Even the best BMW short shift kits will feel vague and sloppy after trying the CAE. Over-engineered? Nope it's just the German way. Check out the CAE shifter's long list of attributes -

video: CAE Ultra Shifter

Universal kit for vehicles with 5 and 6 speed Getrag and ZF transmissions.

Short and super-precise shifting travel in the traditional H-pattern.

The BMW linkage to the transmission remains unchanged.

Racing-style appearance.

Ergonomics optimized for fast road/motorsports:+ positioning of the shift lever close to the steering wheel+ narrow shift pattern/gate reduces wasted motion in between gears+ reverse lock-out cable (accidental changing to the reverse gear is impossible). The reverse gear is unlocked by pulling up the sliding collar on the shift lever.

Low weight and high stability: CNC and laser-cut aluminum alloy with a durable brushed finish.

Stable shifting platform that eliminates the stock shifter carrier that is so susceptible to flex and deflection.

Integrated center position spring, ensuring perfect feedback when shifting up and down.

Right/left stops and reverse gear stop adjustable separately.

Complete kit for adaption to BMW selector rod with all small parts, fastening material, and detailed installation instructions.

Shifter is intended for vehicles without interior equipment or without a center console. Modification of existing interior panels required if using a stock center console.

Optionally available in all black anodized (please ask for delivery period). All shifters with anodized aluminium gear lever knob in the following colors: titanium grey (standard), blue, red, black, silver or orange.

But don't take our word for it, read what others have been saying:"The stock shifter is a POS after driving with the CAE. The CAE shifter isn't your average aftermarket shifter. If you've never used one, you have no idea." - M3post user."You aren't really switching to the CAE for faster shifts per say. You switch for a more responsive and better feeling shifter that's also much closer to your hands on the wheel. It's a fantastic mod and I love mine." - M3post user.

We stock many of the more popular option combinations of these - some may be special order from CAE and as they are manufactured in Germany, an additional lead time of 3-6 weeks is possible on these items.

The shifter in manual BMWs are said to provide a perfect blend of a sporty and comfortable feel. For some, this is perfect. For others that daily drive or track their BMW, they want shorter shifter travel and a much tighter feel. If you are one of these people, then we have a great option for you, the Short Shifter V2 from IRP Germany.

IRP (Individual Race Parts) Germany is a performance aftermarket parts company that focus's on high quality and long term reliability. The Universal Short Shifter V2 was developed to express their beliefs and compete with the much more expensive CAE Ultra Shifter, but at half the cost. The entire shifter assembly is made from all anodized aluminum and stainless steel for strength, durability, and looks. The V2 is a perfect replacement when looking for a shifter that gives you short, crisp, precise shifts with a 60% reduction in travel. Each piece of the shifter is CNC-machined for precise fitment, a sharp look, and a smooth feel. This shifter also features a reverse lockout to prevent accidental mis-shifts into reverse. The V2 incorporates an handle located in the middle of the shifter that can be depressed to allow you to put the car in reverse.

In addition to all of these great features and amazing build quality, this shifter requires very little alteration for installation. In fact, the steering linkage is left completely stock and connects to this shifter as if it came with the car on day one. Only a slight modification is needed to the center console and, depending on the model, slight alteration to the trim surround.

The IRP V2 is compatible with all BMW ZF and Getrag 5 and 6 speed H pattern manual transmissions.

The Dinan short shifter provides shorter shift throws with a crisper and more precise feel than a stock shifter. Instead of retrofitting a stock BMW lever, with all of its deficiencies, Dinan has engineered this billet aluminum shifting system. Special features engineered into this unit include a two piece fully isolated stick assembly, exclusive integrated and dampened pivot cup with self lubricating pivot ball, counter balanced to reduce effort and exclusive polymer "Iglide" T-500 lower pivot bushings that are impervious to contamination. Featuring an adjustable pivot, which allows this shifter to fit both standard and M Series applications. All of this combined with a simple straightforward installation provides a professional level shifter. Provides a 30% throw reduction in E82 128i/135i, E9X 325i/328i/330i/335i, and E60 530i/545i/550i.

For over 35 years, Dinan has been America's premier tuning company, pioneering advancements in BMW modification while retaining a focus on balanced performance that preserves the original character and driving feel that a BMW offers. When you install a Dinan part on your car, know that it's not only carefully developed and tested, but that Dinan stands behind it with a four year, 50,000-mile warranty.

This 6-speed short shift kit offer a shorter, more direct shift feel for improved control and a more visceral experience. Ergonomically designed in black Alcantara and aluminum, the kit's modified shift linkage set-up reduces shifter travel by 25 percent for a faster, smoother gear response.